Planning ahead can help reduce the stress of moving. Be selective in deciding what to take with you and what to put into a self-storage unit in St. Albert. To assist in making your move less stressful, check out these packing and storage tips.
If you don't need it, there is no sense in packing it. Take a good, hard look at all your belongings and decide whether you want to keep them, donate/sell them, or toss them. Put only the items you must keep into your storage unit, or if you are unsure if they'll be needed in your new home.
Instead of just cleaning out one room at a time, divide your things into categories and then sort through them: group clothes, books, shoes, papers, and kitchen utensils. For example, gather clothing from bedroom closets, front and back entries, the laundry room, and basement seasonal storage when sorting clothing. Then you can look at all your "like" items and sort through them quickly and efficiently.
Collect as many cardboard boxes as you think you'll need, along with tape, markers, and packing materials (bubble wrap, packing paper, etc.). Consider purchasing good-quality boxes, as not all boxes are the same quality.
Use smaller boxes for your heavier items, as you want to avoid having boxes that are too heavy to lift comfortably.
Make sure to get a mattress bag. If you've ever moved before, you know how painful it is to move a mattress and keep it clean.
At Riel Park RV & Self Storage we sell packing boxes of various sizes, specialty boxes such as wardrobe boxes, and packing supplies like packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, furniture covers, and more.
Label every box with the destination room and add as much content as possible to make finding it easier. Label the tops and sides of the boxes so they can easily be identified. Also, labelling them with "open first" for necessary items for the kitchen and bath helps when sorting at your new home.
You will want to easily find the things you need right away after you move into your new place, such as toilet paper, toiletries, garbage bags, cleaning products, kitchen utensils, and cookware. If you do not have clear bins, different-coloured tape on the boxes with these items will make them easily identifiable.
Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard and marked FRAGILE. Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in bubble wrap or packing paper and packed in sturdy boxes. Packing plates vertically makes them less likely to break.
A newspaper is a good alternative; however, a newspaper transfers ink onto your stuff, resulting in additional cleaning when unpacking. Do not pack fragile items and heavy items in the same box. Proper packing is essential to protect your fragile items.
Remove all batteries from electronic devices before putting them into a storage unit, especially if it's for an extended period.
Tape the cords to the units they belong to so they are not lost and can be easily found.
Always try to pack any electronics or small kitchen appliances in the box they came in. This will keep them better protected and easier to identify.
Use stretch wrap to group items, such as rakes, brooms, curtain rods, etc.
It can also protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.
Put any small parts for things that you have taken apart, such as screws, into a sandwich bag and tape it to the item they belong to.
If you are going to store your belongings in a self-storage unit, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Prepare your unit by placing a tarp on the floor under your things or placing your items on pallets to guard against dampness. Any concrete floor may become cold and damp, especially with temperature change. Leave some space between the walls and boxes to allow air to circulate.
Plan your storage space before you put any of your items into the storage unit. Place items you may need regular access to in the front of the unit. Leave an aisle down the centre of the storage unit so you can easily get in and out when you need access to items.
Start with the heavy items first. These items should be placed in the back of the unit to help save space and make them accessible to other items down the road. When stacking, make sure to put heavier items on the bottom and lighter boxes on top.
Many items can be broken down to store more easily, so look for ways to reduce the size of bed frames, couches, shelving, tables, etc. This will give you more room to work with in your storage unit. If you choose not to break down your bookcases/wall units, these can store smaller items or things you want to keep visible.
When storing your fridge or freezer, always prop the doors open, as closing them can lead to a buildup of moisture and mold.
Never store food or perishables in your storage unit. These items may attract uninvited guests, such as bugs and rodents.
Elite Self Storage St. Albert also known as Riel Park RV & Self Storage offers storage units of various sizes to accommodate all your storage needs.
Elite Storage has two easily accessible locations in Southeast Edmonton and Northeast Edmonton.
Whether you're storing in St. Albert or Edmonton, Elite Self Storage is committed to providing safe, secure, and convenient storage solutions. With flexible unit sizes, drive-up access, and top-tier customer service, we make storage simple and stress-free, no matter which location you choose.
Call one of our storage rental experts today at 780-347-0476.
